The 11.6 MBA is really a netbook

[sparkie7]

I got news for you sparkie, there are plenty of netbooks that run linux, heck ubuntu even offers a netbook remix of its OS. I even have a dell mini running OSX, so does that mean my dell mini 10v is no longer a netbook because its running OSX?

The MBA is closer to a netbook then to a laptop.

So why would core  users want a hacked up Mac OSX? and violate 's user agreements? - I don't want a half baked frankenstein system that tries to be a mac and ruin the mac experience. Nor do I want to look at and touch an ugly PC laptop. I'd rather pay 's asking price at a premium b/c I'll get a premium product and 100% working system. So that's the key differentiators, not to mention the superior components, cutting edge industrial design and idea behind the MBA.

 

[wittyalias]

Though it's not in the same category as netbooks, I can definitely see it competing in the sense that people who are considering a netbook will be tempted to spend a few hundred extra to get a real computer that's just as portable.

 

[MikhailT]

Jobs was adamant that netbooks do nothing well. Isn't the 11.6 MBA a sly way of competing in that market space without ever having officially released a netbook? The only significant upgrades I see over many current netbooks are the unibody construction and the Core 2 Duo processor. But even that is questionable now that netbooks are shipping with the Atom D525 dual core processor.

I'm not flaming the computer, I think it's brilliant (actually considering purchasing an 11.6 instead of a netbook). But just wondering.

Netbooks are referring to cheap budget laptops that’s in the range of <= $500 that’s designed to last long for the very basic internet surfing, that’s why it’s called netbook.

Ultra-portable/sub-notebooks are >$500, much higher quality parts designed to be powerful enough to do everything as expected as the normal laptops but the main intentions are to be ultra-thin and light.

MBA falls into the ultra-portable/sub-notebooks because it’s made out of ultra high quality inside and as well as outside (good luck trying to get a unibody type of quality in a netbook). It has the more powerful parts while maintaining ultra thinness and lightness.

 

[NT1440]

So I guess now the media's definition of netbook is simply "small computer".

I'm ashamed to see Gizmodo posting its crap about the Air. It's NOT a netbook.

 

[phobic99]

So I guess now the media's definition of netbook is simply "small computer".

I'm ashamed to see Gizmodo posting its crap about the Air. It's NOT a netbook.

Is it really that big of a deal?

 

[ippikiokami]

While I agree with you guys that it's not a netbook let's get somethings straight

Google "Full Sized Keyboard Netbook". You'll find more than enough choices for that.

The Geforce 320m is hardly better than the Ion which is actually an integrated 9400m and is actually slower than the ION2 (which is an integrated 9600m)

Where it beats a netbooks spec wise is the CPU. A N550 gets a passMark of 584. i'm not sure what the one in the macbook air is?

 

[epictempo]

Wait, if we decide that it's a netbook and not a laptop, or notebook, or ultralight, what will it do differently? Oh, right, it makes no difference at all.

Correct. The avg. consumer is just going to think "It's BEAUTIFUL, and it can facebook for $999". This will be the most requested xmas present.

 

[maflynn]

So why would core  users want a hacked up Mac OSX? and violate 's user agreements? - I don't want a half baked frankenstein system that tries to be a mac and ruin the mac experience. Nor do I want to look at and touch an ugly PC laptop. I'd rather pay 's asking price at a premium b/c I'll get a premium product and 100% working system. So that's the key differentiators, not to mention the superior components, cutting edge industrial design and idea behind the MBA.

Actually I don't have a frankenstein system, it was quite easy, seamless and smiple to load OSX on my dell mini and my core i7 desktop, I've had no problems updating the system and I have the full OSX experience.

I think the definition of a netbook, more generally, is of a tiny, inexpensive computer that uses sub-notebook parts to achieve a sub-notebook price.

Of course but you cannot put inexpensive and apple in the same sentence

 

[r2fa3l]

i don't think its a "netbook"
those are like 9 inches.

11.6' fits into
laptop

 

[NT1440]

Is it really that big of a deal?

No, but its really annoying to see Gizmodo slowly turn into an opinion blog on tech rather than what it used to be.

Don't think I'm just an upset fanboy or something, their articles the last year or so on any topic often feel unprofessional and sometimes just downright juvenile. They take petty shots at companies all the time for really stupid things.

 

[maflynn]

The MBA does more than basic computing. Lets get that right for a start.

Only if you throw 4 gig of ram into it. With 2 gigs you'll be sorry to run VMware, aperture, Lightroom, or Photoshop. So for the stock models of the MBA, my statement stands. It will handle basic computing. Heck the meager storage that it comes with will severely hamper the use of any of those apps I just mentioned, so again, there's another reason why it will only handle basic computing.

Seriously 64gb of flash, that's not enough to do much of anything

 

[Shivetya]

What? Almost all models of Netbooks ship with either Windows XP or some variation of Linux. The Linux models are cheaper and, for some models, have sold much better than the Windows versions. I have an EEEpc running a mobile variant of Ubuntu and it runs great.

My Acer One came with Seven Starter version, all for $200. I can't even begin to put together anything with an OS for the price it cost. Great little email machine and surfing, I look at the netbook I bought as ideal slaved to a real monitor kb/mouse.

 

[NT1440]

Only if you throw 4 gig of ram into it. With 2 gigs you'll be sorry to run VMware, aperture, Lightroom, or Photoshop. So for the stock models of the MBA, my statement stands. It will handle basic computing. Heck the meager storage that it comes with will severely hamper the use of any of those apps I just mentioned, so again, there's another reason why it will only handle basic computing.

Seriously 64gb of flash, that's not enough to do much of anything

Funny, my friends MBP (slightly older model now) has a core 3 duo in it and only 2 GB of RAM in it. Runs photoshop with absolutely no problems.

I have 4GB in mine right now, but thats only because I use VM's a good amount.

 

[gloss]

Of course but you cannot put inexpensive and apple in the same sentence

True enough.

 

[gloss]

Only if you throw 4 gig of ram into it. With 2 gigs you'll be sorry to run VMware, aperture, Lightroom, or Photoshop. So for the stock models of the MBA, my statement stands. It will handle basic computing. Heck the meager storage that it comes with will severely hamper the use of any of those apps I just mentioned, so again, there's another reason why it will only handle basic computing.

Seriously 64gb of flash, that's not enough to do much of anything

Yeah, I have to disagree. I've run VMWare, Lightroom, and Photoshop on machines with 2GB of RAM. It's fine unless you're dealing with a dozen 10MP images simultaneously.

Also, if it matters that much, pay the extra $100. :/

 

[sparkie7]

Only if you throw 4 gig of ram into it. With 2 gigs you'll be sorry to run VMware, aperture, Lightroom, or Photoshop. So for the stock models of the MBA, my statement stands. It will handle basic computing.

But the fact is the option for 4GB RAM BTO exists. Its not like its hemmed to 2GB like REV C with no upgrade option. You are walking a thin line

 

[NT1440]

But the fact is the option for 4GB RAM BTO exists. Its not like its hemmed to 2GB like REV C with no upgrade option. You are walking a thin line

It's also pretty funny that he's putting the Air in the completely wrong category: a "working class" computer, thats the MBP.

This is a light travel computer, that should the need arise would also get some work done. First and foremost however, its just supposed to be a personal computer, not the heavy lifter.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I got news for you sparkie, there are plenty of netbooks that run linux, heck ubuntu even offers a netbook remix of its OS. I even have a dell mini running OSX, so does that mean my dell mini 10v is no longer a netbook because its running OSX?

The MBA is closer to a netbook then to a laptop.

Based on what assumption. The point of the a netbook isn't what it is running under the hood, but rather what it can do. From what it looks like, the macbook air isn't gimp in any field that a 13inch MBP can do. The netbook...simply implies "internet" book designed for users that want internet browsing, instant messaging and light word processing. MBA, you can do alot more.

Just because it's 11.6 inch, don't make the assumption its a netbook.

Then maybe I should call my companion downunder a netbook as well. The girls don't think so...they think of it as a powerhouse Notebook. Quick boot times as well.

 

[maflynn]

But the fact is the option for 4GB RAM BTO exists. Its not like its hemmed to 2GB like REV C with no upgrade option. You are walking a thin line

Thin enough but I also mentioned the meager storage being provided. 64GB is not enough for any serious work and the 128GB will still hamstrung the machine in so far limiting it from being a full time computer.

 

[NT1440]

Thin enough but I also mentioned the meager storage being provided. 64GB is not enough for any serious work and the 128GB will still hamstrung the machine in so far limiting it from being a full time computer.

Come on man. This machine isn't meant to be a power house.

BTW, in what universe does "serious work" always take up massive amounts of storage?

 

[maflynn]

Come on man. This machine isn't meant to be a power house.

BTW, in what universe does "serious work" always take up massive amounts of storage?

Of course, that's the point I was making to respond to sparkie7 post of:

The MBA does more than basic computing. Lets get that right for a start.

 

[gloss]

Thin enough but I also mentioned the meager storage being provided. 64GB is not enough for any serious work and the 128GB will still hamstrung the machine in so far limiting it from being a full time computer.

I tend to agree with this. I feel like the Air would function best as a satellite machine to a heartier desktop-class machine at home. Cloud storage would also be a plus.

There are plenty of ways to fit this machine into a mobile workflow. It lacks CPU muscle, but that's about it.

 

[aberrero]

Is anyone actually considering using this as their only computer?

 

[gloss]

Is anyone actually considering using this as their only computer?

Unless they don't use computers for any heavy lifting at all, that seems unwise.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Define heavy computing?

Unless you are doing something thats CPU intensive like AutoCad, maybe some virtualization or video editing. This computer should fit the needs of 80% of all PC users and fit it very well, I might add.

Don't try to make your toyota camry or honda civic into a race car, you'll get burned. Know your what you are doing, what you need and if the machine can deliver. If not, then move to the pro line. It's very simple.


I can't stress this enough. A netbook was designed for one purpose - an internet, light pc. Because people realized that you don't need to spend $2000 in order to do the following:
Web browse
Youtube
Facebook
Gmail
Word process/excel.
instant message.

In fact everything I just mentioned, you can do on a IPAD! (just not as well). Just because it's 11.6 inches doesn't make it a netbook. Especially when you consider that it's highly capable of running basically 90% of all mac software. Try doing that to a netbook on a windows computer. You can't because the processor is utter UTTER CRAP!!! The atom processor was designed for one thing...HIGH HIGH MARGINS and a relative cheap price. and that's what the netbook range is about...cheap computing!!!

Nothing about the MBA is cheap. Yes, it uses an outdated core 2 duo processor, but that processor will be 2x better than the latest atom that comes out. There is not a single netbook that can compete from a benchmark perspective to this MBA. So please please please!!!!! stop calling it a netbook.

The computer you want to compare the Macbook pro's to are other CULV based processors and those are considered in the ultra portable range. They cost more, the build is better and you get processing power.

Also consider this: You are getting a 128GB SSD!! That's 600 upgrade for any macbook pro. A decent processor. A good amount of ram (considering ultra ultra cheap atoms start at 1GB ram with MAX 2gb). and a build quality that doesn't look like your dog made it.

That's what you are paying for. That's what they are trying to sell. If you took a Macbook pro and strunk it to 10 inches, does that make it a netbook too?